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INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced today Dr. Allison Barber, a native of Schererville, Ind., and graduate of Tennessee Temple University (Ph.D. in Leadership and B.S. in Elementary Education) and Indiana University (M.S. in Elementary Education), has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of the Indiana Fever; and Tamika Catchings, four-time Olympic gold medalist and 16-year WNBA superstar with the Indiana Fever, has been named Vice President of Fever Basketball Operations.

Just the second person to head the Fever franchise, Barber replaces longtime Fever executive Kelly Krauskopf who led the organization since its founding twenty years ago and was named assistant general manager of the Indiana Pacers in December.

“We are incredibly thankful for Kelly’s tremendous service and dedication as the architect of one of the WNBA’s most successful franchises,” said Rick Fuson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “Looking to the future, I couldn’t be more excited to have such dynamic and qualified leaders in Allison and Tamika to carry the torch and build on our proud legacy – both on and off the court.

Fuson continued, “Allison’s proven experience includes remarkable success in marketing and communications at the highest levels of business, education and government in our city and state, which will serve as a great benefit to our organization and our loyal fans. When combined with Tamika’s professional leadership, strong work ethic and incredible basketball mind, the future is bright for the Indiana Fever.”

“I am energized by this new opportunity to serve our team, our city and state as the new President of the Indiana Fever,” said Barber. “The team and I will work to earn the support of our fans through our commitment, our competitive spirit and our contribution. I am optimistic about our future.”

“I’m ecstatic about advancing my role with the Fever,” commented Tamika Catchings, Vice President of Fever Basketball Operations. “Opportunities like this don’t happen often and I look forward to working with Allison and Pokey to help lead our franchise. On the court, we have such a great young core and we will continue to build our players and embrace the opportunity to grow our fan base in the community.”

“Bringing Allison to our franchise and watching Tamika step into a larger role has leadership written all over it,” said Fever General Manager and Head Coach Pokey Chatman. “Our franchise is fortunate to have the support of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and I know this will benefit our team as we head into the 2019 season. I’m confident we will land another quality player with the third pick in the upcoming draft, and along with our returning core and growth of last year’s rookie class, we are positioning ourselves to return to the playoffs.”

Barber, currently the president of Western Governors University (WGU) Advancement, the non-profit fundraising arm of WGU Indiana, and Chancellor of WGU Indiana, begins her new role with the Fever on March 18. Under her leadership, WGU Indiana experienced unprecedented growth in helping Hoosiers improve their lives by earning a college degree – growing from 250 students to 5,000 students and enrolling students in all 92 counties of the state. Previously, Barber was president of Sodenta, a strategic communications firm, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Special Detail to the Office of Global Communications in the White House. A recipient of the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, Barber is as a state lead volunteer for the American Red Cross and serves on the boards of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Techpoint, Indiana Internet and the Elizabeth Dole Hidden Heroes foundation.

Catchings, previously Director of Player Programs and Franchise Development with Pacers Sports & Entertainment – including the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever and the Fort Wayne Mad Ants – will be responsible for the coordination of day-to-day basketball operations in her new role. She joined the Indiana franchise in 2001 when she was the club’s first-round draft selection – just one year after the Fever was established. For the past 19 seasons, Catchings has been a constant ambassador and respected representative of the WNBA, NBA and Pacers Sports & Entertainment throughout her career – including her current role as a Co-Chair of the local organizing committee board of directors for the 2021 NBA All-Star in Indianapolis.

Fever’s 20th Season features a new ‘All For Love’ campaign
The Fever also announced today a new campaign called ‘All For Love’ to celebrate the 20th Anniversary season by honoring the players’ hard work, skill, respect and sacrifice for their love of the game. The upcoming season will also include an extensive calendar of state-wide community events that will be announced at a later date.

The Fever also announced today a new campaign called ‘All For Love’ to celebrate the 20th Anniversary season by honoring the players’ hard work, skill, respect and sacrifice for their love of the game. The upcoming season will also include an extensive calendar of state-wide community events that will be announced at a later date.

“We are looking forward to celebrating our 20th Anniversary with the same passion that our players and fans have always brought to the court and to the community,” said Barber. “Fever basketball is Indiana basketball at its best. It’s fundamental. It’s undeniable. It’s from the heart. So we are capturing all of those values as we celebrate the anniversary, our franchise, our world-class athletes and our incredible fans.”

The All For Love campaign surrounds Fever fans and the local community with bold player photography and headlines that speak to values, like ‘Heart is a muscle.’ or ‘Sacriﬁce should be a stat.’ The expansive campaign will include television, digital, out-of-home, print, in-stadium and community events.

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